Ahpra has released a podcast called Taking care in which optometrists Tim Martin and Luke Arundel share tips and tricks for practitioners, patients, parents and the general public.
Speaking with host Tash Miles, they discussed the effects on our eyes from a greater reliance on technology and the increased time spent indoors for work, study and social connection during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Across the profession we’ve seen things that have never existed before, [such as] Mask Associated Dry Eye (MADE); this has just never been an issue,” said Mr Arundel.
Tim Martin and Luke Arundel share tips and tricks for practitioners, patients, parents and the general public
Excessive screen time coupled with the limitations on face-to-face optometrist consultations has also increased the risk of more serious eye diseases developing because they aren’t diagnosed early. This includes fewer opportunities to detect or treat early stages of myopia (short sightedness).
“Myopia is a big issue now and into the future,” Mr Martin said, as new data has been published showing a significant increase in myopia in children.
“More kids are coming in – now that they can (come in) out of lockdown – with short sightedness … we’ll wait and see,,” he added.
Reference
www.optometryboard.gov.au/News/Newsletters/June-2021
